PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Helder Dias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Albert Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Albert Ward acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Dias
vs
Ward

182 cm
17
183 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
165 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Helder Dias!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Albert Ward!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, jab by Dias - just one landing.
Dias keeps the fight on the outside.
Ward tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dias paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ward wants to clinch but Dias slips to the side

and Dias holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dias.
A short body shot lands from Dias as the two fighters clinch.
Dias digs a right hand underneath Ward's ribcage. Ward let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dias on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Dias digs a right hand into Ward's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ward's gas tank.

Dias works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Dias sitting in guard here, content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ward looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ward looks winded!
Ward being controlled here, momentarily.
Ward really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Dias. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Helder Dias has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ward takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Albert Ward has been cut.

Dias gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dias digs a right hand into Ward's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ward's gas tank.

Dias gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Ward regains guard.
Dias seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Dias passes Ward's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Dias perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ward is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Dias scores with a couple of nice shots.
Dias is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Ward!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dias takes Ward's back.
Dias slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Dias lands with a nice looking elbow that stuns Ward.
Ward takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Ward takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Dias just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

Dias has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Ward! Can he survive? No! He's out! Dias gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Helder Dias!
After winning the bout, Helder Dias thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.